William Hiram Donaldson (1878-1950)

DONALDSON, SHERRATT, NORRIS, PECENKA

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 4/30/2020 at 17:06:48

From Nevada Evening Journal March 21, 1950 (page 6)

Final Services For William H. Donaldson

The Colo Methodist church was filled to capacity Sunday afternoon, March 12, with relatives and friends in attendance at the last rites for William Donaldson, 71, who passed away suddenly Thursday afternoon, March 9, at his home from a heart attack. He had been in declining health for several months, but was able to be about and attend to his affairs. He had been up town and returned home driving his care when the final attack came.

The Rev. Otto Hoffner, pastor of the Methodist church, was in charge of the services, being assisted by the Rev. John Rex, pastor of the Methodist church. Music was provided by a mail quartet, composed of Paul Henry, Mark Wilson, William Lounsberry and LuVerne Horner. Mrs. Mark Wilson presided at the piano and also used appropriate numbers preceded the service. The quartet sang two numbers, "Rock of Ages" and "Abide With Me."

The casket was surrounded with many beautiful floral offerings, which expressed the high esteem in which the deceased was held in the community. The flowers were arranged and cared for by Mrs. O. A. Weir, Mrs. Thomas Manley, Mrs. Eldon Schoonover and Mrs. Walter Mains.

The casket bearers were Forest Horner, Faye Ward, Bert Olson, Porter King, Charles Lindstrom and Roy Morrell. Burial was in the Colo Cemetery. Members of the I.O.O.F. Lodge attended in body.

Mr. Donaldson was a kind and loving husband and father, devoted to his home. In the nearly half century he was engaged in the blacksmith business in Colo, he was through and very industrious workman, and took great pride in his workmanship. He was a public spirited citizen, backing all worth while projects and served for a number of years on the town council in Colo. He was for nearly 40 years a devoted and active member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. He also held membership in the Fidelity Lodge, and served on a Colo school board for period of time. He was loved and respected by all who came in contact with him, and will be greatly missed in this community, in which he had so long been a part.

The following obituary was read by Rev. Hoffner during the service.

"William H. Donaldson, son of Hiram and Jane Donaldson, was born near Toledo, Iowa, on November 25, 1878, where he grew to manhood. He came to Colo in 1902, and has lived here the remainder of his life. He was married to Clara Sherratt of Hudson, Iowa, on September 2, 1903. To this union were born twin sons, Watson of Colo and Willard of Union."

He leaves in his passing, his wife, the two sons, four grandchildren; two brothers, Earl of Toledo, and Carl of Ruthven; two sister, Mrs. Verna Norris* of Toledo, and Mrs. Joe Pecenka of Toledo, and other relatives and many friends.

Those attending from a distance were from Toledo, Waterloo, Hudson, Dakota City, Colfax, Zearing and Nevada.

* The sister referenced as "Mrs. Verna Norris" was actually Tressa Donaldson who married Verne Norris 8 December 1906 in Marshall County, Iowa.